Gettysburg Foundation meets the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation challenge

Thanks to our board of directors, Friends members, foundations, corporations, and preservationists, the Gettysburg Foundation was able to raise the funds necessary to meet the 2:1 requirements of the $500,000 matching grant from the Robert H. Smith Foundation. The resulting total of over $1.5M will be applied to the rehabilitation efforts on Cemetery Hill/Cemetery Ridge and Ziegler's Grove areas of the battlefield.

Thanks to all those who contributed through last month's Field Press Issue, it helped create the momentum we needed to meet the match!

If you would still like to contribute to the rehabilitation of Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge, you can do so by going to our Defense of Cemetery Hill contribution page.

In commemoration of the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 6th annual Sacred Trust program was held on July 2-4.This year, our lineup featured twenty-three presenters including legendary National Park Service Chief Historian Emeritus Ed Bearss and Gettysburg and Avataractor Stephen Lang. On Friday Jeffry Wert, Ed Bearss, and Allen Guelzo packed the tent.As the weekend continued (and the temperatures rose) visitors assembled to meet and hear Stephen Lang who gave a repeat first-person presentation on Medal of Honor winner James Purman.Wayne Motts spoke on the friendship between Lewis Armistead and Winfield Hancock.On Sunday, we featured three of our very own:Vice-Chair Barbara Finfrock, National Park Service Ranger Troy Harman, and Leadership Program Manager Sue Boardman.We were delighted that they were able to share with our visitors.Even with the extreme heat and humidity, guests were enthralled by the lectures and living history presentations.

Many thanks to everyone who assisted in making this year's Sacred Trust an educational and preservation success!

Friends of Gettysburg annual Contribution Drawing for Members to Hit Mailboxes this month!

The annual Contribution Drive for Members is being prepared and this year's prizes are arguably the best yet! Here is a little sneak peek:

1st prize: A two night's stay for four in the fully rehabilitated Sherfy House on Emmitsburg Road;the home of "fruit dealer" Joseph Sherfy which found itself in the middle of the heat of battle on July 2, 1863

2nd prize: a tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield for four given by a Licensed Battlefield Guide followed by a dinner hosted at the historic Redding Farm

3rd prize: two pens handcrafted from the storm-damaged honey locust tree from the Soldier's National Cemetery; a witness to the Battle of Gettysburg

This drawing is for Friends of Gettysburg members only. To join the Friends of renew your membership please visit our website.

Complete your summer reading collection with 3 popular books packaged for you at a great price! "Days of Uncertainty and Dread", "This is holy ground" and "Twenty Years on Six Thousand Acres" are three books that explore Gettysburg history in different perspectives. One looks at how the citizens endured the battle, one details the history of the Gettysburg Military Park, while the third chronicles the history of the Friends of Gettysburg.

Separately, these books cost 10.95 or more.Get all three books for only $25.00 (Friends member price: $22.50) plus 5.95 shipping. Check out the details!

Thank you for your interest in the Gettysburg Foundation.

Your support is essential to the continued preservation of the Gettysburg National Military Park.